Becca nd Ariahna have been match for about two and a half years and here's what Becca has to say about their friendship: “Since meeting Ariahna, my life has been filled up with more curiosity, more adventures and a whole lot more giggles - so much so that it's not always easy to tell who is mentoring who at times. Ariahna is compassionate and observant; always the first to ask if she can help someone else. She's worked hard this school year to raise her grades and recently made her school's honor roll. Where once she said "I can't" on the monkey bars - she now does them in under ten seconds - BACKWARDS. I'm watching her continue to grow and interact with the world around her in new ways and it's truly one of the coolest experiences. While it's true that ‘Bigs’ are consistent, positive adult relationships for these kids, ‘Littles’ are consistent, positive presences in our lives as Bigs - with an incredible way of showing you new sides of the world to explore... just when you thought you had it all figured out.”

Ziegler Park​“Ariahna was learning about physics in science class (a subject she's worked very hard at this school year). Just before I took this photo, Ariahna was explaining what ‘potential energy’ and ‘kinetic energy’ was to a captive audience at Ziegler Park. As they patiently looked to her to give the ‘go’ command to slide down the hill she says, ‘right now, we are potential energy.’ She meant this in a literal, physical sense, but the unintentional metaphor here was hard to miss. Right now she is a total ball of potential energy.” ​

10-4 Good Buddy"In October we celebrated Ariahna's tenth birthday and our two-year match-a-versary with her first-ever sleepover. At her request, the night included homemade pizza-making, brownie (with grape Nerds candy) -baking, fort-building and movie-watching. We geared up with a pair of Beauty and the Beast walkie talkies - for proper fort reconnaissance; for giggles; and for learning new phrases at least one of us now uses everywhere: ‘10-4, good buddy!’" ​

In addition to being a Big Sister, Becca volunteers as a member of the agency’s Young Professionals Board and both works on and attends fundraising events, often with Ariahna at her side.

Our thanks to Becca and Ariahna for being part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati.